Thanh Hoa strictly handles subjects who 'protect' beggars at relics

Mr. Pham Nguyen Hong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa, has just issued a document to rectify the organization and management of religious activities and festivals at relics during the Spring of Giap Thin 2024. According to the report of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, during the Lunar New Year, districts, towns and cities have completed the payment of social allowances to more than 193,000 beneficiaries and households caring for and raising social protection beneficiaries with a total budget of over 200 billion VND. Poor households, near-poor households, and households in difficult circumstances were given Tet gifts with a total value of over 77.76 billion VND. Social protection beneficiaries were given Tet gifts worth over 36.38 billion VND. The elderly were wished longevity and given Tet gifts with a total value of over 44.1 billion VND. Children in special circumstances, poor children... were visited and given Tet gifts with a total value of over 29.47 billion VND...

Phu Na Temple welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every day after Tet.

Thus, the work of ensuring social security in general and giving Tet gifts to disadvantaged households in the whole province before, during and after Tet is carried out promptly, fully, effectively and practically. However, some subjects have taken advantage of the lack of determination of local authorities and the kindness of tourists to organize soliciting, begging, asking for money from tourists, especially at relic sites with widespread religious influence. In particular, there are signs that lazy subjects have taken advantage of vulnerable subjects... to carry out the above acts, affecting local security and order, affecting traditional values ​​during the festival season, causing public outrage.

Thanh Hoa directs strict handling of subjects "herding" beggars

The group was taken to the rice support committee by local authorities so they would not sit begging in front of the temple gate (Photo courtesy of Contributor)

In order for the management and organization of festivals and religious activities in the first 3 months of the Year of the Dragon in localities to continue to be carried out well, ensuring compliance with regulations. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism requested the Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts and cities to direct the review and resolute handling of begging, beggars, and stalking of tourists at relic sites and places where festival activities are held. The Department also requested the Provincial Police to direct relevant departments, offices, and functional units to coordinate with the People's Committees of districts and towns to promptly detect and strictly handle subjects "herding, protecting"... (if any) for the above group of beggars. Strengthen the management of temporary residence and temporary absence; investigate personal background, participate in classifying subjects for effective handling to ensure security and order in the area, and safety for tourists when coming to relic sites.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/thanh-hoa-xu-ly-nghiem-doi-tuong-bao-ke-an-xin-o-cac-di-tich-2251297.html